Dolly’s family has revealed her funeral plans, and the farewell for the larger-than-life country icon will be a surprisingly private affair. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Category: Music
Dolly Parton’s final messages to fans reflected her endless work ethic and spirit. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Dolly Parton’s final messages to fans reflected her endless work ethic and spirit. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Don Henley didn’t know Dolly Parton very well, but he recalled working with her very fondly. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Don Henley didn’t know Dolly Parton very well, but he recalled working with her very fondly. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
The country music community is coming together to mourn the loss of Dolly Parton, with countless artists taking to social media to reflect on the profound impact she had on the genre and the generations of artists she inspired.
The devastating news broke on Tuesday, August 25 through a video message shared across Parton’s social media pages by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver. A following statement reveals that the country music icon died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.
Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000).
From longtime friends like Reba McEntire, Terri Clark and George Strait to artists who grew up listening to her music like Carly Pearce, Chase Matthew, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett and so many more, tributes have continued to pour in following the announcement of her death on Tuesday, August 25.
Between her unmistakable voice, timeless songwriting and generosity, Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond country music. These heartfelt tributes offer just a glimpse into the profound mark Parton left on country music and the generations of artists who were inspired by her life and career.
Reba McEntire was among one of the first to share her condolences to the Parton family and to express her sadness over this tremendous loss in the world.
She wrote, “Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side. Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly.
“She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her. I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you, Reba.”
Gabby Barrett took to social media to share a story that she often tells during her shows of the first time they met, recalling how she feels like she “hugged her a little too hard” because of how excited she felt in that moment. She got to learn about the business from Parton and even receive encouragement from her along the way.
“She sent me a handwritten card with butterflies on it, and I know exactly where that card is in my house. I made a point to keep it forever, and I always will. And crazy enough, Baylah (my 5 year old) just recently asked me, “Mom, when am I gonna get to meet Dolly Parton?” I told her, “Hmmm I’m not sure.” There was just nobody like her. She was so witty and could make you laugh, and then turn around and break your heart with a song. She was a songwriter and a country music woman through and through. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen someone so dedicated to this music and to what it means. She gave so much to country music, but I’ll always be especially grateful for the little bit of kindness and encouragement she gave to me. A true treasure who will be missed.”
Terri Clark shared a sweet throwback photo of her and the “9 To 5” singer alongside a kind tribute in the caption.
“We just lost our matriarch. She was so much more than an entertainer. She swung the pendulum toward the light in times of darkness. She gave back so much more than she ever took and used her name and influence for the greater good. THAT’S WHY the song “What Would Dolly Do” was written and loved. The world almost feels off its axis right now, and how we exist in it without her remains to be seen. She taught us so much through her heart and her actions and left behind a legacy of love and light. Now she is in that light with her loved ones and her God. Thank you, Dolly, for inspiration beyond music. Humanity is better because of you.”
Drew Baldridge joined the rest of the world in expressing his pure shock over learning the news of Dolly’s passing. He called her a “true icon” that “made the world a better place with her music and her gift giving.”
“Country Music wouldn’t be what it is today without her. So many hearts breaking around the world. There will never be another Dolly Parton!”
Carly Pearce, who has frequently credited Dolly for being a monumental inspiration in her career, shared a deeply personal tribute, reflecting on how the superstar shaped her dreams from a young age and now promises to carry on the light she brought to country music.
“I’ve said often in my life, ‘What will the world be without Dolly?’ From the time I was a little girl, I wanted to be just like her. At 15 years old, my family uprooted their lives so I could start chasing my dreams, working in the country show at Dollywood. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of not only working with Dolly, but getting to know her. She was exactly who we all hoped she would be — kind, funny, gracious, and one of a kind. Heaven got a whole lot sassier, funnier, and brighter today. I will do my part as a woman in country music to continue carrying the light she shined so brightly for all of us. I love you, Dolly. 🦋”
Bill Anderson
The last thing Dolly Parton said to me was, “Bill Anderson – I will Always Love You,” she was looking me in the eye from the giant video screen in the the Grand Ole Opry House on the occasion of my 65th Opry Anniversary a few weeks ago. She was smiling as only Dolly could, making my night even more special than it already was. The news of her passing has rocked my world, but as we sang together back in 2023, “Someday It’ll All Make Sense”
Kimberly Perry
“Years ago, when I was too scared to make my second album, Rick Rubin gave Dolly Parton my phone number. He wanted her to talk some courage into me. And she did – she called me herself, this gorgeous soul, my fellow East Tennessean, and told me to be bold with my voice. It’s one of the most iconic, turning-point moments of my life. Years later, I got to sing her favorite song of mine – “I Will Always Love You” – at the White House. Full circle doesn’t even cover it. Heartbroken doesn’t even come close. She is my hero. My queen. There will never be another her. Fly high, Mrs. Dolly. Fly high. 🕊️”
Maren Morris
“there will never be another. @dollyparton was who we could all agree on. she was and is such a light. 💔”
Trace Adkins
“It is indeed rare for the world, collectively, to express sorrow for someone’s passing. I knew her to be the angel that they think she was, and I’ll miss her. Dolly, I’ll always love you. -Trace”
Kimberly Williams Paisley
“I first met Dolly Parton when she and Brad recorded “When I Get Where I’m Going.” She was immediately approachable, funny, kind, and generous. And her voice! Well, it pierced my soul in the best way, and added so much to an already beautiful song. Years later, I got to work with her on her Heartstrings series for @netflix. We had a scene together in “Jolene” outside in a bandstand. On the day we filmed, there were crazy winds and sideways rain. We were trying to keep a strict schedule and so we soldiered on in the storm. My hair, my wardrobe, my script pages were flying every which way as we got ready to shoot. When Dolly arrived, it was like the storm stopped, but only around her. She glided across the stage, looking gorgeous and prepared as always, with not ONE HAIR out of place. It must have been the Dolly effect.
Dolly did so much good in her beautiful life on earth, from helping kids learn to love to read, to inspiring so many people to love each other well. In addition to her astounding talent, she was an incredible business woman and philanthropist. Dolly will always live on in her music and in our hearts. And we will always love her.🕊️🕊️🕊️❤️👑👑👑”
Chris Janson
“Rest in Heaven, my wonderful friend, duet partner, and mentor. Dolly was a wonderful person, and it stopped me in my tracks hearing of her passing. TRUE ICON, TRUE STAR, and REAL GREAT HUMAN. We’ll always love you, Dolly. My family is grateful the time we got to spend alongside of you. Love, CJ”
Lee Ann Womack
Can you imagine how beautiful the angel band sounds today? ❤️
Keith Urban
“heartbroken today. Dolly Parton honestly…. I have no words right now.”
Chase Matthew
“As somebody from Tennessee and born in East Tennessee, I spent a lot of time growing up, going to the Dollywood Amusement Park with my family, and we just have so many memories that revolve around Ms. Dolly Parton. With the passing of her just finding out today, I just want to give my flowers to her and her family. She was just an incredible, even outside of music, she was just an incredible businesswoman and she inspired so many people, so many artists to just chase our dreams and pave the way for so many women in country. I mean, just an incredible woman, undeniably, and we should all try to live our lives more like Dolly Parton. So just want to give my flowers to her and the family today. And we’ve got a show here tonight in New York. I will definitely be paying my respects tonight. So thank you, Ms. Dolly, for everything you’ve done.”
Sheryl Crow
“There is a hole in the universe. There was and will never be anyone like @dollyparton. I did not know her well but I loved her like family… we all did. She was an incredible story teller musically and in real life. But she was also a loving and compassionate human being, led by goodness in all she did. I will miss knowing she is on the planet but she will never be far away. RIP Dolly. We love you.”
Jon Pardi
“I never got to meet Dolly, but she always sent me kind things. Pictures and books for my daughters. Legendary artist and songwriter. A true American icon and so funny and sweet. Thank you Dolly.”
Kelsea Ballerini
“My east Tennessee angel, thank you for every ounce of magic and butterflies, acceptance and joy, heart and music you brought to this world. we will always love you dolly.”
Shaboozey
“Rest in paradise Dolly Parton, I wish I had the honor of meeting you. You were everyone’s favorite artist. Thank you for giving us some of the greatest music we’ll ever know.”
Laci Kaye Booth
“What A woman. What a storyteller. What a life she led. We are so lucky to have had her.”
George Strait
“You’ve had such a huge impact on so many people all over the world. We will all miss you. May God bless the Parton family.”
Blake Shelton
“I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today. I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on The Voice. I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family. Truly a loss for the entire world. We love you Dolly.”
Deana Carter
Losing our sweet Dolly. 💔An amazing treasure & a void that no one can fill. 💔 So blessed to have had some time together. Our loss is Heaven’s gain. Till we meet again…🦋
Kelly Clarkson
“Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends. I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left behind for all of us.”
Family of Loretta Lynn
Our whole family is devastated to hear of Dolly’s passing. Dolly was an icon, a legend, a world unto herself. But even more, she was mom’s friend. She was her “mountain sister”. They understood each other. Our hearts go out to all of Dolly’s family and team. We take comfort in knowing the Honky Tonk Angels are together again and that one day, we will hear them live again. Sending our love, The Lynn Family
Mark Chesnutt
“It’s a different world now. It seems like our foundation is crumbling and there’s nothing to replace it with. I will always love you, Dolly.” – Mark Chesnutt
The post Country Music Community Mourns Dolly Parton: Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce and More Pay Tribute appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Dolly Parton’s nephew shared the news of her death and he said something that hits so hard today. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Dolly was loved by so many both in country music and beyond. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
See what members of the rock and metal community are saying about the death of Dolly Parton. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Dolly Parton, one of the most believed figures in the history of Country music, has passed away. The devastating news broke on Tuesday, August 25 through a video message shared across Parton’s social media pages by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver.
The message began with Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, sharing that he is speaking on behalf of the Parton’s and Owens family to announce the passing of his Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, “sister, sis, Aunt, Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.” He explains that recording this video is something that the country music legend asked him to do years ago before he had “fully absorbed it as a future reality.”
“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment, but haven’t truly felt it until now,” he admits. “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness, but sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.”
Seaver recalls first joining Dolly out on the road as a kid in the early 1980s and going on to see all the doors that she would open for her and the entire family throughout her career. But it wasn’t just her own family and loved ones that Dolly impacted, it was generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers across the world who looked up to her.
“By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open and the door she opened made and changed history. My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family, whether you liked it or not. Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever.
He continued, “Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest. Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, aunt Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, the fourth of twelve children. Music was a constant in her early life as her mother had a love for both church songs and the traditional Elizabethan ballads of their ancestors, while her grandfather, a fiddle playing preacher, penned “Singing His Praise,” which was later recorded by Kitty Wells. Many of Dolly’s siblings also pursued music, and some performed in the family band.
Her uncle, Bill Owens, recognized her talent early and encouraged her musical ambitions, even gifting her a guitar. By age ten, she was appearing on a local television variety show in Knoxville, and just three years later, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut at 13 years old. Her early recording career included singles for a small Louisiana label and later for Mercury Records in Nashville in 1962.
After graduating high school in 1964, Dolly headed to Nashville to chase her dreams. Her first day in Music City, she met the man who would one day become her husband, Carl Dean. The pair connected in a laundromat and the rest was history.
Parton’s career took a major turn in 1967 when she joined The Porter Wagoner Show as the new duet partner. The pair quickly became audience favorites. She went on to build a remarkable career, appearing on television specials, talk shows, and in her own series in 1976, as well as starring in the 1980 film 9 to 5.
The song, “9 To 5” remained a signature track throughout her entire career and will forever be a part of country music history. Two years after founding her own record label, Dolly Records, in 2007, the 9 to 5musical debuted on Broadway. Parton wrote the production’s music and lyrics and was nominated for the Best Original Score Tony award for her work.
Fans got to celebrate her life and career with DOLLY: A True Original Musical, which premiered in opening on August 8, 2025 and featured classics “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5,” alongside new songs.
With over 3,000 songs written and twenty-five No. 1 hits, the “Jolene” singer’s contributions to the music industry are unmatched. Over the years, Parton has racked up a slew of elite accomplishes in her music career, including earning a total of 27 RIAA-certified gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards. In 2014, the RIAA recognized her impact on recorded music with a plaque commemorating more than 100 million units sold worldwide.
She has racked up 11 Grammy Awards and 52 nominations, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, 10 Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year; five Academy of Country Music Awards, also including a nod for Entertainer of the Year; four People’s Choice Awards; and three American Music Awards.
In 2004, the Library of Congress presented Parton with the Living Legend Award for her contributions to the United States’ cultural landscape. The following year, she was honored with the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists by the U.S. government. She later received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.
Parton was inducted as a member of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, following the release of her historic project, Rockstar.
Her achievements extended beyond music. Being the savvy businesswoman and philanthropist that she was, Parton opened Dollywood in 1985, which became a major Southern tourist attraction. Through Dollywood and the Dollywood Foundation, Parton has offered major contributions to her home county’s economy and to scholarship programs for high school students in the area.
To date, her Imagination Library, which gives one free book a month to children from birth to age five, has donated over 325 million books to children across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia and the Republic of Ireland. The program currently gifts more than 3.5 million books each month.
She is also the author of several books, including the New York Times bestsellers Run, Rose, Run, alongside an accompanying album of the same name, and a trilogy called Behind The Seams: My Life in Rhinestones.
She has made many scarifies over the years, including missing out on time with family and friends and vacations so that she can be completely devoted to her career. But no matter how much she may have missed out on, it was all worth it to build the legacy she is leaving behind. Her dedication was celebrated with an exhibition in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum called Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker, in celebration of her six-decade long journey.
In the final months of her life, Parton continued working despite revealing some health challenges. Her previously planned six show run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Dolly: Live in Las Vegas, had already been postponed from December 2025 to 2026 due to health issues and then was later canceled all together. However, she continued to move forward with other projects.
In June, she made her final public appearance at the grand opening of her Tennessean travel stop in Cornersville, Tennessee. Shortly after, she missed the dedication of Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition after doctors advised her not to travel because of dehydration and dizziness.
Just days before her death, Parton accepted the 2026 ACM Poet’s Award virtually on Aug. 19, reflecting on songwriting as a form of therapy and saying she was still working on her Broadway musical, museum and other ventures.
In an interview with PEOPLE published August 21, she acknowledged that she had been dealing with “hard times with my health,” explaining that she had put off addressing some health issues while caring for her late husband, Carl Dean. Despite her struggles, she insisted she was still working and looking ahead, including plans for the forthcoming Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville and the SongTeller Hotel, which is scheduled to welcome guests in September.
This news comes more than a year after the death of her husband, Carl Dean. Dolly and Carl Dean were married for nearly 60 years before he passed away in early March of 2025 at 82 years old. . With a love that truly stood the test of time, it’s no surprise that the grieving process is still ongoing.
Carl Dean remained out of the spotlight during the nearly six decades they were married. Following his death, Parton released a heartfelt new song, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” in his honor.
Dolly Parton is preceded in death by her mother, Avie Lee Caroline Owens, and her father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. Earlier this year, Parton’s brother, Coy “Denver” Parton, died at the age of 82. He was the fifth of Parton’s siblings to have died, following brothers Larry, David, Randy, and Floyd.
Dolly’s cause of death has not been announced. At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com.
The post Dolly Parton, Country Music Legend, Dies at 80 appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now